9/4/08 Storms Approaching, Successful Pool Season, Tiger Trot, Last Street Party of 2008

School has started, summer is over, and hurricanes are approaching. Do your flashlights work? Do you have any bottled water? I know that Bobby Ukrops has some milk to sell you. When I was little, I loved getting ready for a hurricane: helping my grandmother tape her big picture window that looked out over the creek, picking up anything outside that the wind could blow around, and trying to figure out where the “eye” was. Of course, now that I’m older I am more cautious and reserved, and only hope that no one gets hurt.

The final whistle at the Cater Park Pool was met with applause as the pool closed for the summer. Many thanks to the wonderful life guards who watched our kids and stayed late on movie nights. I’d also like to thank the manager, Hunter Hoy, whose attention to detail makes it such a great place to be in the summer.

Happy Birthday to Cark Sloppy and Kim Dye who both turned 29 on September 1st!

There are two big events happening on Saturday, September 20th here in Ashland. The Henry Clay and John Gandy Elementary Schools' PTA's 2nd Annual Tiger Trot 5K race will begin at 9:00 am at Henry Clay. There are two races for the kids to choose from: The Half-Mile Run will begin at 8:00 am, and the One Mile Run will begin at 8:15am. I’ve heard that there will be lots of fun door prizes and fun things to do. Pick up your entry forms at Fin & Feather, Henry Clay, John M. Gandy Elementary, or the Ashland Library, or register on-line at www.raceit.com. All proceeds will go to the two PTA’s: Henry Clay and John M. Gandy. For more information please contact Susan Spence at 804-537-5257, or Tracy Brown at 804-752-7762.

So after you’ve run the 5K, treat yourself to a fun evening at the last Street Party of the summer. Come dance to the music of Ron Moody and the Centaurs, Saturday Sept. 20th from 6 to 11pm behind the Ashland Library. There are always lots of children’s activities, as if giggling and dancing around weren’t fun enough. Tickets are $5 in advance, $10 at the gate. Children under 12 are free with a paying adult. For more information call 752-7944.

Have you bought a tree yet in honor of our sweet town’s 150th birthday? With all the talk about the old bicycle tree near the R-MC soccer fields, it makes me think that someone needs to plant another great tree like that, so that our great-grandchildren will have a tree to preserve in 100 years. Visit www.ashland150.org for an order form; they are only $15 each.

Those rainy days this past week would have been perfect for sitting inside a movie theater. Too bad we don't have a- oh never mind. I'm getting tired of talking about it. This has gone on long enough, don’t you agree? Call me at 310-5320, or email ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a wonderful week!

All things summer are ending this week, and it is bittersweet because it has been such a lovely season. I have asked myself several times- what did we do to deserve such incredible weather? I know we need rain, but I don't think we've seen 90 degrees for a week or more. Were we better than usual? Did we all behave ourselves so much that God smiled on us? Surely there must be an Indian Summer lurking around the corner, ready to remind us of the true value of central air. The pool will close in a few more days, the buses will start their routes, and children will have set bedtimes again.

The Bluemont people have packed up and left until next year, but not before a stellar concert this past Sunday. I wished that they were the “Ashland” Jazz Orchestra, and that we could hear them at least once a month. When I closed my eyes, I knew that it was Louis Armstrong up there singing to me, “...and I think to myself, what a wonderful world.” Perfect.

The Second Annual Patrick Henry Half Marathon was a successful event this past Saturday morning. Not only did the Hanover County and Ashland Officers stop traffic, but they clapped and cheered us on. The volunteers who worked the water stops deserve their own medals for standing in the sun until the last runner went by. I also have to mention Tom Grant, who has personally inspired so many people to begin running, and to run faster. We’re lucky that he’s our friend. As we ran through town, I overheard someone ask, “Why do they call it the Center of the Universe?” And I had to say, “Because it is!” What a silly thing to ask!

Register now for the 2nd Annual Tiger Trot to benefit the Henry Clay and John Gandy PTAs. The big day is Saturday, September 20th, with the children’s races (1 and ½ mile) starting at 8 am, and the 5K starting at 9am. You can register on-line at http://www.raceit.com/ , and there are special prizes waiting for the kids who complete the summer training program. If your child is interested, send an email to Tracy Brown at bob.and.tracy@comcast.net. If you don’t want to run, email Tracy anyway and tell her that you’ll be a volunteer.

Our Sesquicentennial Celebration is just around the corner- are you ready? Have you bought one of the 150 trees? Have you ordered your yearbook? Have you chipped in for the town birthday present? I know it sounds like a lot, but we are on a tight schedule, Ashland! Visit http://www.ashland150.com/ or go see Susan Tucker who can give you some jobs that need to get done.

The Randolph-Macon students are returning this week, and football games will start soon. I’ve heard that Spike Lee is coming to campus for a lecture, which sounds very exciting. You can see all the events that are open to the public at http://www.rmc.edu/. I always look forward to them coming back, and the energy that they bring to town. So have a wonderful year, R-MC students!

Send me your news, Ashland- your stories of local hero’s, birthdays to be recognized, babies born, or the beautiful ordinary events that make living in this sweet town so special. You can reach me at 310-5320, or email ashlandnews@gmail.com. Have a wonderful week and stay off the tracks.